According to various sources, YC obtained exclusive information pertaining to who will be filling the shoes of the Delaware County District Attorney starting this January when the current district attorney is sworn in as a Delaware County Court of Common Pleas judge.
Current Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan (R-Pa.) will be putting stepping down from his current position after being one of two republican candidates in the county. Whelan was elected to serve as a Delaware Court of Common Pleas Judge in January 2018 thru January 2028.
This year only two republicans were elected in Delaware County, one being Jack Whelan and Judge Lee Hunter. YC Publisher & Executive Director of Original Media Group, Nik Hatziefstathiou, endorsed Lee Hunter in March.
Sources told YC that current Delaware County Councilman, John McBlain (R-Pa.), will fill in until November 2018 as Delaware County District Attorney according to several sources. YC political analysts predict that a democrat will take the position come January 2019.
» Who is John McBlain?
John P. McBlain, a lifelong resident of Aldan Borough, was elected to Delaware County Council in November 2011 and began his four-year term on County Council in January 2012.
McBlain is supported by both democrats and republicans given his immense community involvement and bipartisan decisions that have helped thousands of Delaware County residents over the years.
Mr. McBlain comes to County Council with a strong legal background, having served as County Solicitor for over eight years prior to his election. He was appointed as the Solicitor of Delaware County in 2003, with a Delaware County Daily Timesheadline at the time calling McBlain Delaware County’s “Top Lawyer.” In his role as Solicitor, he oversaw the legal affairs of County government and worked on a daily basis with the Delaware County Council, developing County policy.
Mr. McBlain’s representation of the County’s Redevelopment Authority and Economic Development Oversight Board placed him in a position where he negotiated the agreements that landed the largest economic development projects in Delaware County. He negotiated the agreements that brought Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack to the City of Chester and led the negotiations that brought the Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Team and PPL Park to Delaware County.
Mr. McBlain’s interest in government began at a young age when he was appointed to the Aldan Borough Council at age 24. He subsequently was elected to four terms on the Borough Council.
He and his wife, Barbara, live in Aldan Borough with their three daughters.
» About the Election
Whelan won by a slim margin of 1,626 votes out of the 124,998 constituents who voted last week.
Brian Zidek (D-Pa.) and Kevin Madden (D-Pa.) won two seats on the Delaware County Council, yet another tight race against John Perfetti (R-Pa.) and replacing current councilman Dave White (R-Pa.). Additionally, Jerry Sanders (D-Pa.) will be sworn in as Delaware County’s Sheriff after winning the race against Mary McFall Hopper (R-Pa.).
All in all, Whelan was one of two candidates who won a position that was challenged by a democrat. Judge Lee Hunter (R-Pa.) was the second candidate to win as a republican where he will be sworn in for his third term as Magisterial District Judge.
Delaware County officials were unable to confirm or deny if McBlain will fill the seat, but reliable sources close to YC tipped off our Philadelphia news room back in August.
» Election Results
* Red indicates Republican;
* Blue indicates Democrat;
* Green indicates Libertarian;
* Orange indicates unopposed candidate (Magisterial District Judges).
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas – 10 Year Term (Republican)
Jack Whelan: 61,686 v. Kelly Eckel: 62,312
County Council – 4 Year Term (Democrat)
Brian Zidek: 60,919 v. Dave White: 58,834
Kevin Madden: 61,964 v. John J. Perfetti: 58,575
Edward Clifford (Libertarian): 2,047
Sheriff – 4 Year Term (Democrat)
Jerry Sanders: 62,116 v. Mary McFall Hopper: 58,555
Mathew Wallace (Libertarian): 2,825
County Controller – 4 Year Term (Democrat)
Joanne Phillips: 62,920 v. Robert W. Kane: 59,060
Register of Wills – 4 Year Term (Democrat)
Mary Walk: 64,632 v. Beth Naughton-Beck: 57,618
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-20: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Wilden H. Davis
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-22: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Spencer B. Seaton, Jr.
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-24: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Robert M. D’Agnostino
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-25: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Bob Burke
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-34: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Robert J. Radano
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-35: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Anne Berardocco
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-36: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. David R. Griffin
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-38: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Diane M. Holefelder
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-42: 6 Year Term (Democrat)
Michael A. Burns: 1,596 v. Jay Kelly: 1,547
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-43: 6 Year Term (Republican)
Christopher Bagnato: 3,345 v. Hon. Lee Hunter: 3,936
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-44: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. Jack Lippart
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-24: 6 Year Term (Democrat)
Andrew Goldberg: 2,172 v. Theresa F. Murtagh: 1,977
Magisterial District Judge 32-1-24: 6 Year Term (Unopposed)
Hon. W. Keith Williams, II